Weekend Warrior: February 15-17

(L to R): Actors from the HK Shakespeare Performance Association, in rehearsal for this week’s performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and an image shot by photographer Desmond Lo. Photos courtesy of HKSPA and Desmond Lo.
(L to R): Actors from the HK Shakespeare Performance Association, in rehearsal for this week’s performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and an image shot by photographer Desmond Lo. Photos courtesy of HKSPA and Desmond Lo.

A quick digest of the coolest weekend happenings in Hong Kong.


Friday, February 15

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

All the world’s a stage — or, at least, Hong Kong Park will be this Friday, when the Hong Kong Shakespeare Performance Association stages its inaugural performance of the bard’s romantic comedy. The association was formed by Ben Margalith — who runs a group that performs modernized Shakespeare adaptations in local schools — and a group of local artists that wanted an outlet for putting on more grown-up productions. With Hong Kong rents driving up traditional theater ticket prices, the association wanted to be able to open their performances to the public, free of charge, so that even theater lovers living on that Nick Bottom budget can take in some quality entertainment, King Oberon-style.

Friday’s play, meanwhile, revolves around four lovers, a group of amateur actors, and the king and queen of a fairy kingdom, with plenty of mischief and mishaps smattered throughout. Entry is through the stage, so latecomers will be seated during a scene break. Remember to bring blankets, pillows, food and drink. What the Puck are you waiting for?

7:30pm until Sunday, February 17 at, Hong Kong Park, 19 Cotton Tree Drive, Central. Free.

From ABBA to ZAPPA by Gijsbert Hanekroot

Dutch photographer Gijsbert ‘Gilbert’ Hanekroot is known for photographing ’70s rock and popular music legends like ABBA, David Bowie, John Legend, and The Rolling Stones. He’ll have his debut exhibition in Hong Kong at Sheung Wan’s Blue Lotus Gallery. The grand opening will take place on Friday, and will also feature music a selection of vinyl from Hong Kong’s ‘Vinyl Hero’ Paul Au who we interviewed a while back.

4pm until Sunday, March 10 at, Blue Lotus Gallery, 28 Pound Lane, Sheung Wan. Free.

Philip Glass’s David Bowie

The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra will be playing Philip Glass’ Heroes Symphony, a tribute to the popular music icon David Bowie. The opener will feature music from the film There Will Be Blood — composed by Radiohead guitarist Johnny Greenwood — followed by Bryce Dessner’s piece “Lachrimae,” which was used in The Revenant, and Steve Reich’s “Three Movements,” which was in The Hunger Games. Click here to get tickets.

8pm to 10pm until Saturday, February 16 at, Tsuen Wan Town Hall, 72 Tai Ho Rd, Tsuen Wan. HK$320, HK$280, HK$180, and HK$120.

Saturday, February 16

Still / Loud Magazine Launch

Still / Loud is an independent online magazine, launched in 2017, that covers music, art and culture in Hong Kong. Since it started, the site has published tons of solid interviews and essays on the local music scene, indie culture, identity, and language. On Saturday, the crew behind the site will be presenting its first-ever print magazine, which will include five new exclusive interviews with, as well as portraits of, some notable personalities within in the indie music, art and culture scene — Issac Lam, Lousy Jon, Sabina Wong, Wingla Wong, and Leung Wing Lai. The zine also touches on two youth culture and alternative activism. Click here to pre-order a hard copy of the magazine.

6pm to 12am at, Bedroom, 75 Bedford Road, Tai Kok Tsui. Free.

99 Bottles Turns Two

Craft beer joint 99 Bottles will be celebrating its second birthday this weekend, and to celebrate, they’ll be giving out more than 600 free pints and canned beers from sponsors HK Beer Co, Young Masters, Gweilo, Heroes, Northeast, Bestbev, and Innis & Gunn. There will also be trays of complimentary shots going around. The free booze is only available on a first-come, first-served basis, so it’s best to get there early if you’d like to get in on that.

4pm to 1am at, 99 Bottles, 59A Peel Street, Soho, Central. Free.

Carnegie’s Hong Kong presents their ’50’s Party’

Live performances from bands The Sideburns and Live8, as well as vinyl DJ sets from Dave ‘Wobbly’ Ross and Steve 52. There will be a pin-up girl contest, HK$50 Budweiser beers and HK$50 “sunset floats with a cherry on top” for the whole night. Ticket prices include one drink.

10pm to 4am at, G/F Spa Centre, 53-55 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai. HK$160 (advance) HK$200 (at the door).

Alt-Rock Night

Sunset Moth, Giraffe Eat Fish, and Unanimous will be performing at this alternative rock night.

9pm at, The Aftermath Bar, L/G, 57-59 Wyndham Street, Central. Free.

The making of a special relationship

University of Hong Kong professor John D. Wong will be hosting this talk on the growth of Sino-American trade into a sustainable business in the early nineteenth century through the lens of a prominent Chinese merchant named Houqua.

4pm to 5:30pm at, Hong Kong Maritime Museum, Central Pier No. 8 Hong Kong, Central. Free.

Daydreams and other Familiar Stories

You may have seen photographer Berton Chang’s work gracing the pages of the SCMP or the Financial Times. He specializes in portraiture, architecture, and interior photos, and is holding his debut photography exhibition at The Aftermath Bar through the rest of the month.

5pm to 12am until Saturday, March 2 at, The Aftermath Bar, L/G, 57-59 Wyndham Street, Central. Free.

Where Is my Next Home?

Illustrator Janas Lau will be displaying her original sketches from her 36-spread-long storybook called Where Is My Home. The story outlines skyrocketing rents, the messy land policies, and other social problems that have befallen Hong Kong, through the eyes of an eight-year old, Ming, illustrating the difficult living conditions of a typical Hong Kong family. These watercolor illustrations are part of Lau’s final-year project studying MA in Children’s Book Illustration & Graphic Novels at Middlesex University in London.

12pm to 7:30pm until Sunday, March 3 at, The Mills, 45 Pak Tin Par St, Tsuen Wan. Free.

Someone Lived Here: Desmond Lo’s Solo Exhibition

Desmond Lo takes viewers on a visual stroll of Hong Kong from the childhood playgrounds to the hidden corners. There will be standard street photos as well as cyperpunk-inspired CGI renders.

10am to 9pm at, Naked Hub Gallery, G/F, 13A New Street, Sai Ying Pun. Free.

In Conversation with Oscar Director

Swiss documentary filmmakers Christian Frei — known for his works War Photographer, The Giant Buddhas and Space Tourists — will be talking about the profession in a conversation with Hong Kong’s own Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Ruby Yang. Entry is free, but online registration is recommended to secure a spot.

2pm to 3pm at, Goethe Institut, 14/F, Hong Kong Arts Centre, 2 Harbour Road, Wan Chai. Free.

Sunday, February 17

NuDD Runway

Tai Kwun’s Behind Bars and NuDD (nude drink and draw) will be collaborating in this special event to raise money for Aids Concern in Hong Kong. NuDD is an experimental life drawing, and sometimes-performance group, that mixes art with social activities. Entrance includes one drink, and drawing utensils will be provided. Filming and photography at this event is strictly prohibited.

2pm to 5pm at, Behind Bars, G/F E Hall, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central. HK$280.



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